| Nic name |
Newy |
Your early years
|
| Where were you born? Where did you grow up and go to school? |
Born in Australia and grew up in Melbourne (Wantirna South) and Holland. Went to school at St Judes then Xavier College and then St Joseph’s College in Ferntree Gully. |
| Do you come from a soccer (or other sport) family or did you discover it? |
Dad played for Willem II Tilburg in the second-highest tier of football in the Netherlands before moving to Australia where played for Ringwood Wilhelmina in the Victorian State League. Injury cut short his career but dad never pushed me to play. |
| Where did you begin your soccer/sports career? (First club) |
Ferntree Gully Soccer Club until age 15 and began my senior football journey from age 16. (photo is from my first senior game) |
| What position did you play? Why? |
Started on the wing (7 or 11) because I was the fastest kid on the team. Spent the majority of my career playing a forward/midfield role. By the end of my career I was playing the easiest position – defence. |
| What was the toughest or hardest thing you had to learn as a player? |
The step up from junior level to senior level and learning to reuse my left leg after a nasty break. |
| Which clubs/comps have you played at/in? What was the highest level? Any big highlights? |
Heidelberg and Melbourne Croatia (Knights) in the old NSL (National Soccer League). Majority of my playing career in Victoria’s top two divisions with Fawkner, Dandenong Thunder (South) and Langwarrin. Finished playing with mates in the lower divisions at Ashburton and Knox Park (Ferntree Gully) and then player-assistant coach at Ashburton. |
| Do you/did you have a pre-match routine or superstition? |
Always arrived 2 hours before game time. Would have a bit to eat and a cup of tea. Dressed from the bottom up. |
| Did/do you play any other sports? Any big highlights? How does it inform how you coach? |
Athletics - 400 & 800 metres. Represented Victoria for five years at junior levels and competed at A & B senior level athletics. |
| War injuries or niggles? |
Broke my left leg in 2 places
Operations on both knees and ankles.
Broke my nose 4 times |
| Where is home now? |
Shepparton |
Your thoughts on coaching
|
| Which of your coach(es) (in any sport) had the greatest impact on you? Why? |
Freddie Bunce. My first senior coach at Ferntree Gully and my youth team coach at Heidelberg. |
| Which coach(es) do you admire? Why? |
Any coach that plays football the way it should be played – The Dutch coaches from the 1970s & 80s – Johan Cruyff. |
| Are there any players you played with or against that stood out? Why? |
Charlie Yankos. Played for Heidelberg and Australia. Lead by example and never was negative towards his teammates. |
Why are you a coach? What made you want to take on the challenge? Do you have a coaching philosophy?
|
To help develop the kids along their football journey. To try and impart the knowledge I have gained over my 40 plus years of being involved with football. To play simple attacking football. “Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is” Johan Cruyff |
| What coach training, accreditation, licence etc have you completed |
C Licence |
| What pushes your buttons? (late with no excuse, lack of commitment, bad language etc etc) |
Lack of commitment, poor sportsmanship - “When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less.” or “Win with humility, lose with grace, But do both with dignity” |
A little bit more about you
|
| Which leagues and clubs do you follow? |
AFL – Richmond,
EPL – Manchester United,
Dutch Eredivisie - Ajax Amsterdam |
| Family? |
Married to Lindy with 3 kids – James (14), Elisabeth (Lily) (11) & Rolf (6) |
| Pets? |
None – all deceased |
| When I’m not coaching I’m… |
Working at SPC Ardmona, chasing after my 3 kids and trying to complete my uni degree. |
| My last dinner would be… |
With family and friends |
| What are you aspirations for the GV Suns and soccer in the GV? Eg In five years time, GV Suns will …. |
That the club will start seeing the kids who began the journey 5 years ago playing in the senior squad |
| Something else you want to share? |
I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. They all played sport at the highest level. We consistently stressed our parents. |
| Something we don’t know about you? |
I enjoy eating triple or quadruple salted licorice. |
| Do you have an inspiring quote or message? |
“Technique is not being able to juggle a ball 1000 times. Anyone can do that by practicing. Then you can work in the circus. Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed, at the right foot of your team mate”. Johan Cruyff |
The U12s have booked the camera for the next home game on Sunday 17 June 2018. Thanks heaps to the parents for coming to see me. 
Under 14s v Northcote
Under 18s v Northcote
